DVD inspiration — UPDATED!

Last night I went for an easy three miler. It felt great and I wore my HATPHONES that I’m obsessed with. I did find a minor problem with them. You see, I have this ridiculous amount of hair that likes to flop all over in a high ponytail on my head. Wearing the hat means the hair has to stay in a low ponytail at the nape of my neck. This makes my neck sweaty and gross. Okay hatphones, I’m sorry, I still love you. After that I watched the Victoria Secret Fashion show. HOLY COW. This morning when I didn’t want to get out of bed, I thought about those girls and my butt was up and going quick!

This morning I went for a 6 miler and finished in 50 minutes. It was pretty good, but man I was FREEZING! I wore a long sleeve shirt and leggings. Let me just tell you, these leggings are not running leggings, but fashion leggings from Target for like $5. I love them for both purposes, but the beginning of my run was quite chilly because I wasn’t warmed up yet. I did use my mailbox as the finish line, I felt a little channeling of Pre. :) (If you don’t know who Prefontaine is, pick up the gifts below, you will start using your mailbox too!)

Anyways, I am super excited to share with you guys that I am the ExtraOrdinary Runner of the month from Runner’s Lounge! When Amy emailed me that I was chosen I was super shocked! If you lurkers want to read more about me in my Open Mic Interview that was posted today, then travel here RUNNERS LOUNGE BLOG WITH MY INTERVIEW!

If you haven’t gotten the chance to read my story that won me the award and talks about why I run then creep over here. MY STORY OF WHY I RUN

Thanks so much Runner’s Lounge! I am so glad that you guys exist too because it’s nice to have all us crazies in one place, venting, and loving each other! If you aren’t already a member there, go check it out. It’s like a myspace-type website for runners and it’s inspiring and super helpful.

For those who run, they know the pain, the hardships and training that you have to go through to finish a race. Everyone who runs has a special place in their hearts for athletes who are competing at incredibly high levels too, because we know how much goes into the sport. These gifts are inspiration in a little box.

Without Limits is the first running film I ever watched, and it was amazing. Seriously, AMAZING! The film follows the life of famous 1970s runner Steve Prefontaine from his youth days in Oregon to the University of Oregon where he worked with the legendary coach Bill Bowerman, later to Olympics in Munich and his early death at 24 in a car crash. If Steve Prefontaine doesn’t inspire you, you might be dead. You can find this one right here.

Prefontaine is another great one that I’ve seen which is based on the life and times of Steve Prefontaine, one of the biggest, yet most tragic sport stars in America. Get it off amazon.com here.

Saint Ralph. Though I have never seen it, it’s on my to rent list. Set in Hamilton in 1954, Saint Ralph is the unlikely story of Ralph Walker, a ninth grader who outran every one’s expectations except his own in his bold quest to win the Boston Marathon. Ralph is a fatherless 14-year-old with a seriously ill mother. An unfortunate incident of self-abuse in the community pool inadvertently sets him on this road when, as penance, Ralph is conscripted to the cross-country team. Desperate to believe a miracle will bring his mother out of a coma, Ralph becomes a convert to the church of running, and determines to win the Boston Marathon. Pick up your copy from amazon.com here!

Running Brave is about the true story of a man’s triumph over prejudice, pain and himself. Billy Mills, a North American Indian brought up on the reservation, destined against all odds to become the best distance runner in the world. Here is where you can find a copy.

Run Fat Boy Run is about a chunky, clueless guy leaves his pregnant fiancée on their wedding day only to discover – 5 years later – that she is his one true love. But in order to win back her heart, he looks to finish his first marathon while making her realize her new man is the wrong guy for her. I haven’t seen this one either, but it looks interesting and funny. Get yours here. BUT!! One of my friends, Billy of LA Runner Fame, said this movie sucks and thinks that you should get this one instead (see below)!!

RunningForMyFather! On January 14th, 2007 composer Cody Westheimer lost his father, Dr. Eric Westheimer to a brain tumor. Faced with the biggest challenge of his life, Cody discovered running as a way to cope with the death of his best friend. Inspired by working on “ULTRA MARATHON MAN,” a film about folk hero Dean Karnazes, Cody decided to begin training to run a marathon. Houston was where his dad was horn. The race was taking place on January 13th, 2008 – the eve of the anniversary of his father’s death. The choice was obvious-the Houston Marathon would be the race Cody would enter to honor his dad. Follow Cody and his family as he travels through grief, pain and perseverance in his quest to run 26.2 miles. (Totally forgot about this one, and it sounds great! I think you can email CODY for more information. Sounds SUPER Inspiring!!!)

Also the Wonderful LA Runner suggested Spirit of the Marathon. Which looks like ANOTHER great pick. Spirit of the Marathon is the first ever non-fiction feature film to capture the drama and essence of the famed 26.2 mile running event. Filmed on four continents, the movie brings together a diverse cast of amateur athletes and marathon luminaries.As six unique stories unfold, each runner prepares for and ultimately faces the challenge of the Chicago Marathon. More than a sports movie, Spirit of the Marathon is an inspirational journey of perseverance and personal triumph; a spectacle that will be embraced by runners and non-runners alike. It’s $26.20 and can be found here!

Thank you so much Billy!!! :)

Whenever you want to get out there and need some inspiration, just watch Prefontaine run, it always works for me. All these movies really allow you to appreciate the sport of running. Happy movie watching!

What about doing low pigtails under the HAT? No sweaty neck, and it protects the hair from the rubber band bump (which I get, at least) in case you have to run somewhere afterwards without rinsing the hair.

By the way, I haven’t yet seen David Sedaris, but am looking forward to it! As for AC/DC, I secretly like them, but am enjoying making fun of my AH about it.

Whoawhoawhoa…as someone who was actually duped into watching “Run Fatboy Run”, I need to interject and say that it was one of THE WORST movie I’ve seen this year! Unfunny, unrealistic and just a complete waste of time….stay away!

“Without Limits” is indeed a great movie, although I’ve heard less than favorable reviews about its counterpart, “Pre”.

Also, how about “Spirit of the Marathon”? And (ahem) a little plug for OUR running documentary, “Running For My Father” (ahem):

Great list – thanks! I would also recommend Run Lola Run (or Lola Rent – the original German title). It’s not specifically about running, but the main character runs through the *entire* film – hard not to be inspired by that!

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Released in October of 2015, I wrote Running for Women to help everyone to embrace running. Starting out can be intimidating but this book will help you tackle every step at your own pace. I hope you find it exciting, helpful and motivating!

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